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http://dx.doi.org/10.5516/NET.2008.40.1.021

HIGH BURNUP FUEL TECHNOLOGY IN KOREA  

Song, Kun-Woo (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute)
Jeong, Yong-Hwan (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute)
Kim, Keon-Sik (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute)
Bang, Je-Geon (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute)
Chun, Tae-Hyun (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute)
Kim, Hyung-Kyu (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute)
Song, Kee-Nam (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute)
Publication Information
Nuclear Engineering and Technology / v.40, no.1, 2008 , pp. 21-36 More about this Journal
Abstract
High bum-up fuel technology has been developed through a national R&D program, which covers key technology areas such as claddings, $UO_2$ pellets, spacer grids, performance code, and fuel assembly tests. New cladding alloys were developed through alloy designs, tube fabrication, out-of-pile test and in-reactor test. The new Zr-Nb tubes are found to be much better in their corrosion resistance and creep strength than the Zircaloy-4 tube, owing to an optimized composition and heat treatment of the new Zr-Nb alloys. A new fabrication technology for large grain $UO_2$ pellets was developed using various uranium oxide seeds and a micro-doping of Al. The uranium oxide seeds, which were added to $UO_2$ powder, were prepared by oxidizing and heat-treating scrap $UO_2$ pellets. A $UO_2$ pellet containing tungsten channels was fabricated for a thermal conductivity enhancement. For the fuel performance analysis, new high burnup models were developed and implemented in a code. This code was verified by an international database and our own database. The developed spacer grid has two features of contoured contact spring and hybrid mixing vanes. Mechanical and hydraulic tests showed that the spacer grid is superior in its rodsupporting, wear resistance and CHF performance. Finally, fuel assembly test technology was also developed. Facilities for mechanical and thermal hydraulic tests were constructed and are now in operation. Several achievements are to be utilized soon by the Korea Nuclear Fuel and thereby contribute to the economy and safety of PWR fuel in Korea
Keywords
High Bum-up Fuel; Cladding$UO_2$; Pellet; Spacer Grid; Fuel Performance; Assembly Test;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 1  (Citation Analysis)
Times Cited By Web Of Science : 6  (Related Records In Web of Science)
Times Cited By SCOPUS : 6
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